DIGS-BB:
Setting the Standard for
Modern PhD Training
DIGS-BB
neighbouring partner the Max Planck
Research School for Cell, Developmental
and Systems Biology (IMPRS-CellDevoSys).
During the course, students complete four
week-long practical rotations, choosing at
least one practical in their field and at least
one practical in another field. During each
practical, students learn about a current
topic within that field and practice working
with relevant techniques. Past topics have
ranged from stem cell techniques and
cellular biophysics, to machine learning.
Scientific writing is the backbone of modern
research and academic careers, so first
year DIGS-BB students also complete a
Foundation Level Scientific Writing Course
aimed at developing the essential writing
skills that will enable them to communicate
their ground-breaking research discoveries.
This course is the first component of the
excellence in communication program, a
thoughtfully designed program with the aim
DIGS-BB: SETTING THE
STANDARD FOR MODERN PHD
TRAINING
most about DIGS-BB PhD program is how
it has an international and dynamic work
environment, providing students with access
to state-of-the-art research facilities and
exceptional resources. Every single student’s
intellectual potential can be fully explored
owing to the rigorous training and constant
mentorship one gets from program.’
Over the past decade, the Dresden International Graduate School for
Biomedicine and Bioengineering (DIGS-BB) has risen to the forefront
of PhD student training. The program combines cutting edge research
projects with innovative mentoring strategies to train well-rounded,
interdisciplinary scientists, poised to be leaders in the global scientific
community.
The Formation of DIGS-BB at TU Dresden
In 1828, the TU Dresden first opened its
doors as the Saxon Technical School,
a college devoted to the education of
mechanics and engineers. Over the next 100
years, the college grew and diversified in
subjects, officially becoming the Technische
Universität Dresden (TU Dresden) in 1961. In
2006, the TU Dresden successfully applied
to the German Excellence Initiative, a federal
program aimed at promoting cutting-edge
research and exemplary scholarly training
for young scientists. The TU Dresden is now
one of only 11 excellent ranked universities
in Germany. One of the achievements to
become an excellent university was the
establishment of the Dresden International
Graduate School for Biomedicine and
Bioengineering (DIGS-BB). Since 2006,
students of the DIGS-BB have generated over
792 publications with an average impact
factor of 8.4. Of these publications, 462 had
students as first authors and 263 were in
collaboration with other research groups
from the DIGS-BB or local partner PhD
programs.
The DIGS-BB has quickly become a world
leader in PhD training for biomedicine and
bioengineering, coupling innovative research
with unsurpassed mentoring and training.
The program admits 15–25 new PhD students
twice a year, and the current student body
represents 27 nationalities covering a
wide range of educational backgrounds.
Students enrolled in the program benefit
from extensive collaborative relationships
with mentors and scientists in labs within the
Dresden life science campus.
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What is Unique About DIGS-BB’s PhD
Training Program?
Leading the Way in Biomedical and
Bioengineering Research
through the collaboration of many minds
and perspectives. This belief in the power of
collaboration instils an incredible sense of
community among DIGS-BB students and
faculty, that spills over into interactions with
laboratories beyond TU Dresden walls.
Research at the DIGS-BB focuses on six
interdisciplinary fields: Developmental
Cell Biology, Biomedicine, Regenerative
Biology, Biophysics, Bioengineering &
Biomaterials, and Computational Biology.
These disciplines are tied together by
the desire to understand how organisms
form, function, and self-repair on different
molecular scales, from individual cells to
whole organisms, with the ultimate goal of
translating findings into medical practice.
This goal is accomplished by combining
depth of expertise across multiple cuttingedge fields to accelerate interdisciplinary
discovery and the development of new
technologies. DIGS-BB researchers recognise
that innovative scientific discovery is not
an individual pursuit, but only possible
The DIGS-BB offers graduate students stateof-the-art dedicated facilities and world
class faculty mentors. The multidisciplinary
research projects at the DIGS-BB often pull
expertise from laboratories and experts in
neighbouring fields, providing PhD students
with a diverse offering of techniques and
mentoring when approaching some of
biology’s most intricate problems. All
students have access to cutting-edge
research equipment and technologies
through the Joint Technology Platforms.
The program offers an open-door policy,
whereby students can easily learn to utilise
a multitude of techniques and technology
from experts across the campus. Current
student Ramya Ravindranathan describes
her take on the program: ‘What I like the
The DIGS-BB program combines novel
research projects with advanced training
courses to produce PhD students who
are confident and capable of engaging in
multidisciplinary research on the forefront
of biomedical and bioengineering research.
First year PhD students complete two
obligatory courses, and students have the
option to take additional elective courses
during their PhDs to continue developing
strengths that will contribute to the success
of their research careers.
The mandatory first year curriculum is
designed to bridge disciplines to promote
multidisciplinary thought, introduce
students to a range of techniques, faculty,
and the scientific community at large,
and build essential skills tailored to the
unique demands of research careers.
The Introductory Predoc Course exposes
students to the wide range of laboratories
and techniques available to them through
the DIGS-BB’s Dresden International PhD
Program (DIPP) affiliation, which includes
research groups from DIGS-BB and its
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of helping students master scientific writing
and communication, to the profit of their
PhD thesis and research career as a whole.
Through these courses, DIGS-BB prepares
PhD students to be confident, well-rounded
scientists in today’s highly competitive job
market.
For the remainder of the four-year program,
students have the freedom to enrol in
additional elective courses as needed while
they work on their individual research
projects. Students also have the option to
participate in many programs designed to
facilitate career development and position
students for successful job placement upon
completion of their PhD. The Research
Exchange Program places students in
prestigious laboratories worldwide to
participate in collaborative research or to
learn novel methods not available on the
Dresden campus. Competitive awards are
available to fund student conference travel
and participation in specialised training
workshops, and to recognise outstanding
work. Students at the end of their PhD have
the option to participate in Springboardto-Postdoc and Wrap-Up programs, which
provide additional support for the transition
from PhD student to postdoctoral positions.
Mentoring at DIGS-BB begins with
acceptance of a position in a DIGS-BB
research group, attaching students to
a core faculty mentor who will provide
individualised one-on-one guidance and
support for the student’s independent
research on their assigned PhD thesis project.
must also be compelling communicators
and avid networkers. They must be able to
work collaboratively with researchers across
a wide range of cultures, while maintaining
the ability to work independently, think
critically, and approach challenges with
an open mind and enthusiasm. Studentdriven activities, coupled with innovative
mentoring strategies, help ensure that PhD
students in the DIGS-BB program grow both
personally and professionally during their
time in Dresden. The DIGS-BB’s multifaceted
approach to student development turns
out well-rounded scientists that are both
intellectually and emotionally prepared to
become leaders in the scientific community
at large.
During the foundational first year, students
also form a Thesis Advisory Committee
(TAC) composed of three experienced
faculty members. The TAC provides
multidisciplinary mentorship and guidance
to the PhD student throughout their thesis
work. Students typically meet with and
update their TAC formally once a year, but
the TAC members are available to work
with the student individually at any time
during their PhD project when guidance is
needed. Outside a student’s TAC, every two
years an ombudsperson is elected to act as
a mentor for personal situations outside of
the PhD project or delicate situations such
as conflicts of interest with a supervisor.
Quality mentorship is a critical component
of a successful PhD project, and the DIGSBB faculty members are dedicated to not
only providing scientific direction, but
also guidance to help students’ personal
development.
It’s Not Just About the Project
When asked to imagine a PhD student,
the common image that comes to mind
is a downtrodden academic locked away
in a lab. The DIGS-BB works to break this
stereotype by encouraging students to step
away from their thesis work and engage
in social and community activities outside
the laboratory. The campus is a supportive
and friendly community for PhD students,
providing social support for the rigors of
graduate school while encouraging students
to forge connections to build a strong
scientific network that will profit them for
the span of their careers. DIGS-BB student
representatives are elected twice yearly to
represent the interests of the PhD student
community at program board meetings.
As student representative Jelena Popovic
describes, ‘I became a student representative
as I am very interested in knowing all the
small details of how our great program
came to be. I wanted to help improve it even
further, build a stronger bond with the PhD
office and all predocs, including the very
young new arrivals. And of course, being a
part of the amazing group of people, which
student representatives are!’
Student-driven activities, such as ‘Science
Goes to School’, ‘Ask the Expert’, and ‘Career
Day Symposium’, are at the heart of the DIGSBB PhD student experience. Once a month,
the ‘Science Goes to School’ program places
a group of PhD students in local grade school
classrooms to engage schoolchildren with
science. This program ignites curiosity about
science and science careers in children,
while giving PhD students the opportunity
to develop their skills in communicating
science to a broad audience. Twice a year,
PhD students have an opportunity to interact
with academic, management and industry
leaders at the ‘Ask the Expert event’. The
informal setting in which this event takes
place allows students to learn about and
discuss topics such as current conditions for
scientists in academia or balancing a family
with a science career. The annual ‘Career
Day Symposium’ serves to further expose
students to the wide range of career options
available to them following graduation. This
highly praised event provides students with
networking opportunities across multiple
scientific fields and industries.
For modern scientists, laboratory skills and
academic knowledge are not enough to
secure a successful career. To be competitive
on the global scientific stage, scientists
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What Makes a DIGS-BB PhD Student?
Staying at the cutting edge of innovative
science and discovery requires an academic
environment that values diversity in people
and ideas. This is one of the reasons the
DIGS-BB prides itself on having a culturally
diverse student community, hosting doctoral
students from many different countries, each
bringing unique educational backgrounds
and viewpoints. Over 75% of current PhD
students hail from outside of Germany, and
of the current 68 research groups, a third are
led by international primary investigators.
Interactions between students and research
groups both within and outside of TU
Dresden are encouraged as students engage
in the DIGS-BB’s dynamic interdisciplinary
training.
The DIGS-BB wants to attract the brightest
minds from all corners of the globe, and thus
offers excellent support for students, both
international and domestic. PhD students
at the TU Dresden are offered competitive
awards and do not pay any tuition or fees.
Additionally, international students are
offered extensive support with obtaining
visas, finding housing, and all of the other
potential difficulties that come with moving
to a new country. While curriculum and
research at the DIGS-BB is performed in
English, first year international students
have the option to complete an intensive
German language course to help them adjust
to life outside the lab in Dresden. DIGS-BB
mentors foster a learning environment that
champions both personal and professional
development, ensuring that students
graduate with the skills necessary to be both
renowned scientists and leaders within the
scientific community.
Research Areas at DIGS-BB
Developmental Cell Biology
Biophysics
Within the program on Developmental Cell Biology, we want to
understand the nuts and bolts of how cells work and get together to
generate complex tissues. The Dresden campus has a strong core of
basic scientists working on a number of different model organisms
including fly, fish, newt and mouse. Here, molecular and cellular
approaches are integrated with evolutionary and developmental cell
biology to understand how the differentiation of stem cells and the
behaviour of their progeny function to build a complete body. The
insights obtained within this research area feed extensively into other
programs in Dresden to facilitate applied and translational science.
Biophysics is an increasingly popular discipline that applies the
approaches and methods of physics to unravel the underlying
organisational principles of biological systems. Research in Dresden
has a strong emphasis on investigating phenomena across all relevant
scales – from individual molecules, to sub-cellular organisation, to
cellular properties, and on to tissues, organs, and organisms. Our
strength lies in the close collaboration between theoretical physicists,
providing the conceptual and modelling framework, experimental
groups, developing and applying state-of-the-art techniques to
obtain quantitative data, and cell and developmental biologists, who
contribute the necessary biological expertise.
Biomedicine
The goal of Biomedicine is to use a variety of life science research
approaches to benefit human health. Basic research feeds into
translational research, which extends into clinical trials and medical
applications. Prominent biomedical research areas in Dresden include
immunology, metabolism, tumour biology, neuroscience, bone
research, and germ-cell biology, and there is a special emphasis on
stem- and progenitor-cell research. To address the great complexity
of basic and disease-related mechanisms and factors, we use a wide
range of tools, including high-end microscopy and other imaging and
cell-sorting methods, sophisticated mouse manipulation including
humanised animal models, iPS and other stem cell technologies,
molecular approaches, and innovative screening technologies.
Bioengineering & Biomaterials
Bioengineering is the application of life science, physical science,
mathematics and engineering principles to define and solve problems
in biology, medicine, the environment, materials and other fields.
In Dresden, we focus on the application of nanotechnological tools
to broaden our understanding of biology and medicine, as well as
using the wide variety of molecular functions provided by nature’s
‘nanomachines’ as a basis for an innovative nanobiotechnology. The
tools we use to characterise and engineer molecular-scale systems
include single-molecule imaging and manipulation tools, cutting-edge
technologies for the micro/nano-structuring of organic/inorganic
materials, and a wide range of biomolecular synthesis techniques.
Regenerative Biology
Computational Biology
Regeneration is the renewal of degenerated or lost cells, tissues or
organs within an organism. Such regenerative processes are mainly
based on the action of specific stem or progenitor cells that possess
the capacity to proliferate and differentiate into the required cell-types.
In Dresden, the mechanisms of regeneration and stem cell function
are studied to understand general principles of cellular and tissue
repair with the aim to use this knowledge to develop novel therapies.
Diverse strategies for in depth genetic, molecular and cellular analysis
are used to dissect fundamental pathways of tissue regeneration.
Animals with high regenerative capacities are utilised to understand
intrinsic mechanisms of regeneration as models to induce tissue
repair also in mammals. Additionally, the controlled expansion and
directed differentiation of stem cells towards specific target cell-types is
assessed to develop cell replacement strategies for currently incurable
diseases.
Computational Biology addresses problems in biology, biomedicine
and ecology through image analysis, theory, computer simulations and
data visualisation. In Dresden, we focus on dynamic processes in cells
and embryos but also on biomedical questions like tissue regeneration.
An overarching question is how complex system behaviour at a large
scale can emerge from simpler physical and chemical interactions
at smaller scales. In close collaboration with experimentalists, our
research groups develop and apply computational tools including
image analysis and image quantification algorithms, model-based
image segmentation and cell tracking algorithms, adaptive particle
methods for spatiotemporal simulations, parallel high-performance
computing, multi-scale mechanistic model simulations and deep
learning.
Website:
W: http://www.digs-bb.de/
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